WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has sought out former Secretary of State Colin Powell for advice on foreign policy matters.
Interviewed on "Meet the Press,"Powell said he has met twice with Obama, the bi-racial US senator currently riding the money to Hillary Clinton's dismay.
"I've been around this town a long time... And I make myself available to talk about foreign policy matters and military matters with whoever wishes to chat with me," Powell said.
On Sunday Powell called for the immediate closure of the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, saying detainees should be transferred to American prisons and face trial under existing US federal laws.
About 380 detainees are currently held at the prison, which was opened in 2002 to hold foreign terror suspects captured during the war against the Afghan Taleban and al-Qaeda.
"Essentially, we have shaken the belief the world had in America's justice system by keeping a place like Guantanamo open and creating things like the military commission, " Powell said. "If it were up to me I would close Guantanamo not tomorrow but this afternoon."
While Powell served as secretary of state under President Bush and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman for the first President Bush, he said it was too early in the 2008 race to say whether he would back the Republican nominee.
"I'm going to support the best person that I can find who will lead this country for the eight years beginning in January of 2009," Powell said.
Translation: I am down with the Black man from Illinois!
Colin Powell believes Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the official U.S. official legal policy pertaining to gays opening serving in the military, is heading for extinction.
Still nursing the black eye his reputation received from fronting the invasion of Iraq, Powell insists he has no desire to run for elected office. He was less certain, however, about a return to some government post. "I would not rule it out." he said.
Translation: Since I'm bored at the moment, the right offer could bring me back.
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